Mental Health First Aid is an 8-hour course that teaches you how to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. The training helps you identify, understand, and respond to signs of addictions and mental illnesses.

This course is delivered by Certified Mental Health First Aid USA Instructors who have completed a 5-day training and meet the certification requirements.

INFORMATION:

This program is funded in full by: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP.org)This program is supported by:AFSP Out of the Darkness Community Walksin the Berkshire

COURSE FLYER:

Want more info about the Mental Health First Aid Program? Click HERE for Flyer

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

1. Recognize the potential risk factors for a range of mental health problems, including: depression, anxiety/trauma, psychosis and psychotic disorders, substance abuse disorders, and self-injury.2. Recognize the warning signs for a range of mental health problems, including: depression, anxiety/trauma, psychosis and psychotic disorders, substance abuse disorders, and self-injury.3. Summarize a 5-step action plan to help an individual in crisis connect with appropriate professional help.4. Interpret the prevalence of various mental health disorders in the US and the need for reduced negative attitudes in their communities.5. Recognize the appropriate professional, peer, social, and self-help resources available to help someone with a mental health problem treat and manage the problem and achieve recovery.6. Recognize and correct misconceptions about mental health and mental illness.7. Recognize your own views and feelings about mental health problems and disorders.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?:

This course helps anyone who wants to learn how to provide initial help to someone who may be experiencing symptoms of a mental illness or in crisis. This course gives people the tools to help fiends, family members, colleagues, or others in the community.Who should attend?

College/university leaders

Educators/school administrators

Human resources professionals

Nurses./physician assistants/primary care workers

Public safety personnel

Members of faith communities

Social services staff and volunteers

Policymakers

Substance abuse professionals

Social workers

The general public - Anyone who wants to provide initial help to family members, friends, colleagues or others in their community.

OUR SPONSORS:

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention - Western Mass Chapter

Berkshire Coalition for Suicide Prevention

Austen Riggs Center

Mass Dept of Public Health - Suicide Prevention Program

Massachusetts Coalition for Suicide Prevention

NAMI-Berkshire County

The Brien Center

COURSE POLICY/ACCOMMODATIONS:

Special Accommodations (for special meal accommodations/food allergies see "Meal Accommodations" below): If you are hearing impaired, or are differently-abled and require special accommodations please contact Email: Requests@BerkshireCoalition.org. Please notify us immediately for special requests (You will be required at registration to identify if Special Accommodation Request will be made). .

Meal Accommodations: We will have a selection of Gluten-Free, Vegetarian and Vegan alternatives for our attendees for both the breakfast and lunch buffets so special registration for meals is NOT required. For those with food allergies we can not guarantee that food providers at location have processes in place to remove all chance of cross-contamination during food-prep and serving. If you are concerned you are welcome to bring in breakfast/lunch items to be assured your full needs are met.

Course Cancellation: We reserve the right to cancel a program due to low registration, speaker illness, cancellation or other uncontrollable circumstances. Notice of cancellation will be provided to registrants by email as soon as we become aware of the need to cancel. We will also post cancellation information on BCSP’s website at: www.BerkshireCoalition.org/training.

CANCELLATIONS

If you need to cancel your registration: Email: Cancel@BerkshireCoalition.org with your contact information and your registered course location. Please contact us prior to June14th so your seat can be made available to our waiting list attendees. Note: Because of cost the training materials are only available to course attendees.